Trump UK visit live: President hails ‘priceless and eternal’ US-British bond at lavish state banquet with King
The King and Donald Trump hailed the “special relationship” between the US and UK during speeches at a glittering state banquet last night.
Some 160 guests – including senior royals, politicians and business leaders – joined the US president for an extravagant feast at Windsor Castle.
The King began the banquet by celebrating the UK’s “enduring bond” with the US, before Mr Trump called his visit one of the “greatest honours” of his life.
He said: “The bond of kinship and identity between America and the United Kingdom is priceless and eternal.”
Trump is set to hold meetings with Keir Starmer today before the two face a joint news conference, as the state visit turns from pageantry to hard diplomacy.
Sir Keir and Trump will sit down at the prime minister’s country estate Chequers for talks on trade, investment and foreign policy.
While Sir Keir will hope to focus on the strength of renewed transatlantic ties, difficult questions loom.
When the two leaders face the press in a joint news conference later today, some big and potentially awkward topics are expected to be raised, from Jeffrey Epstein to the UK’s stance on Israel.
